TWO Neighbourhood Watch support staff have been presented with Certificates of Merit for 13 years of service at a special ceremony.

Tony Menpes and Joyce Winning received their awards at a luncheon held at Maidstone Police Station which was also attended some of their colleagues.

The presentations were made by Mid Kent Police Area Commander, Ch Supt Alasdair Hope.

He said: "Neighbourhood Watch provide an extremely valuable public service, helping others within the community so I was keen to award Tony and Joyce Area Commander’s Certificates of Merit.

"They have made an immense contribution to Neighbourhood Watch and to the people of Maidstone for the last 13 years and I hope they will continue to do so well into the future.”

Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator Lorraine Hemphrey said: “I am very pleased Tony and Joyce’s hard work and dedication has been formally recognised and I am extremely proud of them.

"They provide an invaluable service to Maidstone’s Neighbourhood Watch Association and we are very grateful for their help."